Issued: January 24, 2022
Time-Limited Rate Increases Extended
Partners has extended the time-limited COVID-19 rate increases for Medicaid services through February 28, 2022 with the exception of CPT codes.
Partners’ current COVID-19 rate increases for CPT codes will end on January 31, 2022.
If you have questions regarding rates, please contact your assigned provider account specialist or email pas@partnersbhm.org.
If you have questions regarding billing and claims, please email claimsdepartment@partnersbhm.org or call 704-842-6486.
Important State Information
NC State Budget Update: The recently adopted NC State Budget includes funds to give a one-time bonus to eligible direct care workers (DCWs) and support staff who provide services to Medicaid and NC Health Choice beneficiaries.
The NC state budget also includes a provision to implement an home and community-based (HCBS) and Intermediate Care Facility for Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities (ICF-IID) direct care worker (DCW) wage increase for eligible employees who provide services to Medicaid and NC Health Choice beneficiaries.
Details about the three categories of eligibility criteria can be found in the following NC Medicaid provider bulletins, posted Jan. 14, 2022:
- COVID-19 BULLETIN #212 One-Time Bonus: DCWs and support staff in waiver programs, personal care services, home health and others may be eligible for a one-time bonus – DCWs and support staff in eligible waiver programs, personal care services, home health and others may be eligible for a one-time bonus https://medicaid.ncdhhs.gov/blog/2022/01/14/special-bulletin-covid-19-212-direct-care-worker-and-support-staff-one-time-bonus
- COVID-19 BULLETIN #213 ICF-IID Wage Increase: DCWs in Intermediate Care Facilities for Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities may be eligible for a wage increase https://medicaid.ncdhhs.gov/blog/2022/01/14/special-bulletin-covid-19-213-direct-care-worker-icf-iid-wage-increase
- COVID-19 BULLETIN #214 HCBS Wage Increase: DCWs providing home- and community-based service may be eligible for a wage increase https://medicaid.ncdhhs.gov/blog/2022/01/14/special-bulletin-covid-19-214-direct-care-worker-hcbs-wage-increase
NC Medicaid is holding webinars from Jan. 19-25, 2022, to provide an overview of the wage increase and bonus program. Webinar information is located in the provider bulletins listed above.
Special Bulletin COVID-19 #220 – Temporary Rate Increases Extended/Replaced, located at https://medicaid.ncdhhs.gov/blog/2022/01/21/special-bulletin-covid-19-220-temporary-rate-increases-extended-or-replaced provides an update on temporary rates that are extending or being replaced with permanent, legislative increases.